Re: Measuring ambient sound levels

["Dan Dugan" dandugan_1999]

> I am looking for a sound level meter for measuring ambient sound levels i=
n forests along Himalayas. I have  heard of a sound meter by Radioshack tha=
t costs about $50, but I do not know about the quality of the equipment. I =
request for any ideas for a small hand held sound level meter costing not m=
uch more than $200.

The Radio Shack SLMs are excellent buys for the price. I recommend the anal=
og meter version because it's easier to read than a flickering digital numb=
er display.

That said, their usefulness for natural backgrounds is limited. They only g=
o down to around 50 dB, but quiet soundscapes are in the 30s and 40s. Ditto=
 for iPhone SLM apps, the built-in mics and preamps are too noisy to measur=
e quiet levels. An iPhone app with a high-output quiet external mic might b=
e good...to be determined. Do iPhones supply PIP?

-Dan